Guideline J – Criminal Conduct

One Arrest Doesn’t Have to End Your Clearance — But How You Handle It Might

An arrest. A misdemeanor conviction. A fight that turned into a court date. If you’ve been involved with the criminal justice system—even once—your security clearance is at risk under Guideline J: Criminal Conduct.

But that doesn’t mean your future is over.

At National Security Law Firm, we’ve helped hundreds of clearance holders and applicants fight back against criminal conduct concerns. Whether it’s a DUI, domestic incident, theft charge, or even a dismissed case, we know what it takes to protect your clearance and your career.

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What Is Guideline J?

Guideline J – Criminal Conduct evaluates whether your past criminal behavior—or even alleged behavior—raises concerns about your:

• Judgment

• Trustworthiness

• Willingness to follow the law

This guideline covers more than convictions. Arrests, charges, diversions, and even credible allegations of misconduct can trigger a clearance denial or revocation. The government doesn’t need a conviction to view you as a risk.

Even if your record is sealed, expunged, or dismissed, adjudicators may still consider the underlying conduct.

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Real-World Hypotheticals – Could This Be You?

• Scenario 1: A defense contractor was arrested for domestic battery during a heated divorce. Charges were dropped—but the incident triggered a Statement of Reasons under Guideline J.

• Scenario 2: A federal applicant had a shoplifting conviction from 10 years ago and didn’t list it on their SF-86.

• Scenario 3: A service member received an Article 15 for assaulting another soldier during a barracks fight.

• Scenario 4: A cybersecurity specialist has a record of reckless driving, a DUI, and multiple speeding tickets—all adding up to a perceived pattern.

• Scenario 5: A clearance holder was accused—but never charged—with sexual misconduct during an off-duty incident. The agency still opened a review under Guideline J and Guideline D.

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What the Government Looks For

Adjudicators examine:

• The nature and seriousness of the offense

• Recency of the conduct

• Whether it shows a pattern or was isolated

• Age and maturity at the time

• Circumstances of the offense (e.g., self-defense, provocation, misunderstanding)

• Whether you’ve shown rehabilitation, remorse, and changed behavior

• Whether you were honest and transparent about the conduct on your SF-86

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Mitigating Factors – How to Overcome a Criminal History

✅ The offense occurred long ago, under unusual or youthful circumstances
✅ You’ve shown a consistent pattern of law-abiding behavior since
✅ You took responsibility and complied with court orders or rehabilitation
✅ The offense was isolated and does not reflect your current character
✅ You disclosed the conduct voluntarily and honestly
✅ The charge was dismissed, expunged, or resolved without conviction

Even serious charges can be mitigated. What matters most is how you’ve responded and what your life looks like now.

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How National Security Law Firm Can Help

Criminal conduct is one of the most stressful—and misunderstood—clearance issues. Our attorneys include former prosecutors, JAG officers, and federal litigators who know how to read between the lines of police reports, understand agency psychology, and present your case persuasively.

We help clients:

✅ Draft detailed, strategic responses to SORs and LOIs
✅ Review and correct your SF-86 disclosures
✅ Prepare for DOHA hearings, polygraphs, and command-level interviews
✅ Obtain court records, letters of support, and rehabilitation evidence
✅ Frame the incident using whole-person analysis and mitigation factors
✅ Defend against unfair accusations and unfounded allegations

You don’t have to let one mistake—or even a few—define your future. We know how to turn the page and fight back.

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Flat Fee Security Clearance Pricing

• SF-86 Review: $950

• LOI Response: $3,500

• SOR Response: $5,000 (includes $3,000 LOI credit)

• DOHA Hearing: $7,500 (includes travel)

💳 Affordable monthly payment plans available
Explore 3 to 24-month financing with Pay Later by Affirm »

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FAQ – Criminal Records & Security Clearances

Will a misdemeanor disqualify me from getting a clearance?
Not necessarily. Many applicants with minor offenses (DUI, shoplifting, bar fights) retain or gain clearances if the conduct is disclosed and mitigated properly.

What if I wasn’t convicted—do I still have to disclose it?
Often, yes. Arrests, charges, and even certain diversions must be disclosed on the SF-86. Failure to disclose may trigger Guideline E – Personal Conduct concerns.

Can expunged charges be used against me?
Yes. Expungement seals the record from public view, not from federal background investigators. We can help frame the issue and provide mitigating evidence.

What if I lied about my criminal history?
That can be more damaging than the conduct itself. We help clients correct the record and rebuild credibility before it’s too late.

I’ve turned my life around—will that matter?
Yes. The government applies a whole-person concept—your current stability, conduct, and rehabilitation can outweigh past mistakes when presented effectively.

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🔍 Want the Full Playbook?

Don’t leave your clearance to chance. Click here to visit our Security Clearance Strategy Center — your go-to resource for:

• Proven strategies to win your case
• A complete cost breakdown
• Tips to avoid common clearance-killing mistakes
• Secrets to maximizing your chances of approval
• Answers to “What if I already got denied?”

👉 You’ve got questions. We’ve got insider answers.

🛡️ Why Choose NSLF?

At National Security Law Firm, we’re not your average clearance attorneys—we’re the elite unit for national security representation:

• Every case is reviewed by our internal attorney board
• Staffed by former DOHA attorneys, Security Threat Assessment experts, and military lawyers
• Located in Washington, D.C. — where clearance decisions are made
• We’re insiders who’ve worked behind the curtain—now we fight for you
• Founded by and staffed with disabled veterans
• One of the fastest-growing national security law firms in the U.S.

💵 Transparent, Flat-Fee Pricing

No surprise bills. No hourly rates. Just mission-focused pricing.

• SF-86 Review: $950 flat fee
• Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) Response: $3,500 flat fee
  This covers everything you need to respond and start defending your clearance.
• Statement of Reasons (SOR): $5,000 flat fee
  Already paid for your LOI response? You’ll get a $3,000 credit applied here.
• Hearing Representation: $7,500 flat fee (includes all travel)
  One fee covers it all—prep, travel, hearing. No hidden costs.

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Worried about cost? Don’t be. We offer financing through Pay Later by Affirm — break payments into 3, 6, 12, or 24 months.

• No credit impact for checking eligibility
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• Keep your cash flow. Get the legal help now.

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Our success is measured in saved careers, restored clearances, and lives back on track.

⚠️ Don’t Wait. The Clock Is Ticking.

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